Most believers are familiar with God’s speaking to Elijah in a “still small voice” (1 Kgs 19:11-12). The text says that there was a very strong wind, an earthquake, and a fire in the wilderness to which Elijah had fled. But God did not speak to His prophet in those spectacular ways. He used a small voice.
I think that at least some believers will interpret this to mean that God will speak to us, but we have to listen closely. We just need to be quiet. Maybe if we sit under a tree and wait, we will find out what He wants us to do. That view is way too mystical for me.
I think the meaning can be found, as always, in the context. Elijah had just won a great and spectacular victory for the Lord over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kgs 18:38-40). Elijah thought such a display of the Lord’s power would change things in Israel and that the king and queen would lead the people in turning to the Lord.
But that’s not what happened. Jezebel, the queen, promised to kill Elijah. He fled to the wilderness to hide. He was dejected, thinking he was the only one faithful to the Lord.
The Lord had dealt with Israel in a very spectacular way. Fire had come down from heaven and consumed a sacrifice. Hundreds of false prophets had been put to death. The worship of Baal had been shown to be false before the eyes of the whole nation. But they did not hear the message when spoken so forcefully.
Now, God will speak in a less dramatic fashion. Compared to what He did on Mount Carmel, it will be like speaking to them in a whisper. But it will be God speaking, nonetheless.
He would deal with Israel by simply replacing certain people in major positions (vv 15-18). Hazael would become the king of Syria and be used to punish Israel (2 Kgs 8:7-15; 13:2-3). Jehu would later become king in Israel and remove Baal worship (2 Kgs 10:28). Elisha would replace Elijah. God would use these men to discipline rebellious Israel, and they will play major roles in the following chapters. The Lord also reminded Elijah that He would use seven thousand people in Israel who were still faithful to Him. They wouldn’t do what Elijah did on Mount Carmel, but they would still be His voice.
Elijah feared what Jezebel would do to him. He also mistakenly thought God’s work was threatened because the people did not respond as he expected. God’s word will be fulfilled, even if He does not use the methods His servants expect. His word comforts His prophet in the wilderness. Its power is seen as it determines who reigns in Israel and neighboring countries.
God’s power will be exercised even when it is spoken in a seemingly toned-down way. The removal of people and the placement of others in positions of authority over time is not as impressive as calling fire down from heaven. But God would use such acts to judge His people.
We are not called to sit under a tree and listen for God’s whisper. Instead we are to understand that He often does not work in obvious ways. He accomplishes His purposes in the world, in the Church, and in our lives in ways that might seem mundane compared to accounts like the confrontation on Mt. Carmel. We might not even notice that He is working. Elijah was bummed in the wilderness. He thought he was alone. He could not hear that God was speaking through others. They were His still small voice.
